Moorhead Veterans Week commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11

Moorhead Veterans Week commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11

Minnesota State Moorhead will host a week of events Nov. 9-14 in honor of Veterans Week. This year's theme commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a day that changed our nation forever. A variety of events will honor our Veteran students, alumni, employees, and community members. The university is closed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to honor those who have served.

On Monday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. in the Christianson Alumni Center Barry Auditorium, the Minnesota and North Dakota National Guard Preferred Partner signing takes place with Brigadier General Jason Benson, Minnesota National Guard, Assistant Division Commander - Maneuver, 34th Infantry Division and Brigadier General Mitchell Johnson, North Dakota National Guard, Adjutant General.

The Preferred Partners program supports workforce development, professional growth, and community engagement by expanding opportunities for educational attainment and professional advancement.

"Our partnership with the Minnesota and North Dakota National Guard recognizes the leadership, experience, and dedication of our military-connected community and creates opportunities for service members to grow professionally and advance their careers," said Moorhead's Dean of Graduate Studies Robert Nava. "We're proud to support those who serve our country."

A highlight of the week is Speaking of Service: 25th Anniversary of 9/11 on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. in the Christianson Alumni Center Barry Auditorium. Take a journey from that fateful day through the early years of the war in Iraq, as Veterans and military families share their stories of courage, commitment, and resilience.

Panelists include members of the university's Veterans Success Team: Josh Clarke, outreach director; Danelle Wolnik, assistant outreach director; Aaron Krenz, Yellow Ribbon Advance Director; and Monica Krenz, human resources director at Vestis Corporation.

The panelists:

Monica Krenz is human resources director at Vestis Corporation and brings more than 25 years of HR leadership experience with organizations including Target and PepsiCo. She is a proud military spouse to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Aaron Krenz. With a deep appreciation for those who serve, Monica volunteers as a photographer for the Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN, capturing meaningful moments as Veterans visit the memorials honoring their service and sacrifice.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Aaron Krenz is Moorhead's director of the Yellow Ribbon Advance (YRA) Program, which provides experiential learning opportunities and improves career readiness for military-connected students. A retired Minnesota Army National Guard officer with more than 33 years of service, he has held leadership positions at the battery, battalion, brigade, division, and joint force headquarters levels. Krenz deployed three times in support of combat operations in the Middle East. A Minnesota State Moorhead alumnus, he also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College with a focus in advanced operations.

Chief Master Sergeant (Retired) Josh Clarke is Moorhead's Veterans Resource Outreach director. He retired from the North Dakota Air National Guard as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 119th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) after more than 29 years of military service. He held several key positions within the 119th SFS, including operations management, training, deployment management, shift supervision, and logistics. Clarke's deployments include Operation Noble Eagle at Grand Forks (N.D.) Air Force Base, Operation Enduring Freedom at Burgas, Bulgaria, and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He also supported domestic operations for radar site security, airport security, natural disaster and civil disturbance response.

Master Sergeant (Retired) Danelle Wolnik is the university's assistant director of Veterans Outreach and the Yellow Ribbon Advance Program. She retired from the North Dakota Army National Guard after 24 years of service, most recently serving as the Senior Human Resources Noncommissioned Officer for the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Throughout her military career, she served in a variety of positions across the state, emphasizing unit readiness and human resources at multiple organizational levels. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and supported numerous domestic operations, including natural disaster response and civil disturbance missions.

Additional Veterans Week events:

• Traveling Trunk: 9/11 Display all week during normal business hours in the Livingston Lord Library and the Veteran Success Center. The display includes post-9/11 military memorabilia, including uniforms, equipment, and other service-related artifacts. The exhibit highlights the experiences, service, and sacrifices of the men and women who served during the Global War on Terror.
• A Veteran Success Center Open House will be on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in King Hall 149.
• A blood drive will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Comstock Memorial Union Room 203.
• The university's wind ensemble presents "Service, Self-Sacrifice, Undying Loyalty" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Weld Hall Glasrud Auditorium. It's a musical tribute to our Veterans, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and the United States' 250th birthday. Free for Veterans and service members. Get tickets at mnstate.edu/tickets.
• A military appreciation football game takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, at noon at the FARGODOME, when the Dragons face Minnesota State University, Mankato. Free admission for Veterans and service members.

"Veterans Week gives our campus and community a chance to pause, connect, and express gratitude for the service and sacrifices made by those that protect our freedoms," said Josh Clarke, Veterans Resource Outreach Director.

For more information, visit: mnstate.edu/veterans/events.

Moorhead is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you need a reasonable accommodation to attend an event, please complete the Event Accommodation Form and a staff member will be in touch with you.

Yellow Ribbon Advance

Yellow Ribbon Advance is funded by the US Department of Education, as a Congressionally Directed Spending Award of $2.25 million dollars. Award # P116Z230319 The project contents; however, do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and the reader should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.